Question

What does the protein (receptor) theory tells us?

(a) Anesthetic potency is related to the ability of anesthetic to inhibit enzyme activity

(b) Higher the solubility of the anesthetic in water higher potency it has

(c) Higher the solubility of the anesthetic in oil higher potency it has

(d) Lower the solubility of the anesthetic in oil higher potency it has

I got this question in a job interview.

This intriguing question originated from Mechanism of Action of General Anesthetics topic in chapter Local & General Anesthetics, Opioid Analgesics, Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse of Drug Biotechnology

Answer 1

Right answer is (a) Anesthetic potency is related to the ability of anesthetic to inhibit enzyme activity

The best explanation: The Protein (Receptor) theory states that based on the fact that anesthetic potency is correlated with the ability of anesthetics to inhibit enzymes activity of a pure, soluble protein. Also, attempts to explain the GABAA receptor is a potential target of anesthetics action. The lipid theory states that higher the solubility of anesthetics is in oil greater is the potency of that anesthetics. It is based on the fact that anesthetic action is correlated with the oil/gas coefficients.